Charming but treacherous cobbles in DUMBO could soon become in the modern road surface, after the historic districts Council came to the conclusion that the old masonry does not correspond to the Law on the protection of the rights of disabled US citizens.
The representative of the Department of transportation Scott Oud gastel told the Brooklyn Paper that while the report of the Board of the historic districts, it was stated that some of the streets, paved with cobblestones, violate Federal regulations, the city authorities decided not to dispose of the pavers. Oud gastel emphasized that the stone surface is not dismantled, but simply will in order that the road should meet the requirements of the law.
Instead, the Department of design and construction will temporarily remove the pavers to clean and Polish the stones. Those items that cannot be put in the proper state, will be replaced by new, but officials say that they will do everything possible to save as much as possible it was the old stones.
Not for the first time the 150-year-old paving stones, stones which were cut and rounded by hand, faces a transformation. In 2013, the Department of transport has proposed to dig the stones and change their shape to make the road surface more comfortable for cyclists and wheelchair accessible. In the end the upgrade was implemented along Water Street.
Residents and people working in DUMBO, has long been arguing about the fate of the lovely pavers that frankly spoils the life of those who ride bicycles, uses baby strollers or has difficulty walking. Nevertheless, it is a reminder of old new York, when the stones were lined many city streets.
